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Pahor talked about his aspirations for the Slovenians to remain within the European cultural, political, economic and security space. "This is not jeopardising out sovereignty, it makes it possible," he told the event in Ljubljana on Tuesday.

In his view, Europe was caught by the crisis unprepared and was now taking partial institutional solutions that are seen as urgent measures for the union not to fall apart at a time of crisis.

However, he also said that Europe "faces the important challenge of having to answer how much of the diversity that makes us unique as nations or states we are willing to sacrifice to be able to create more space for unity that would enable us to work better for the common benefit".

The president believes Slovenians will also face the question of having to surrender an important part of their sovereignty to be better able to solve Slovenian problems, which he said were at the same time the problems of others.

He believes the Slovenians need to be ready for that decision. Even though a formal decision as to whether to stay in the EU would not be taken until after the conclusion of the convention, when the constitution was ready, "we are deciding about whether we'll be able to decide sovereignly today," the president said.

Similarly, president of the Slovenian Paneuropean Movement Laris Gaiser said that he believed a solution to the difficult situation in Slovenia and Europe at the moment was a stronger and tighter union. Slovenia should boost its banking sector and set up a credible state and make something unique out of its being different.

SAZU President Jože Trontelj pointed to the ethical and other values advocated by the EU such as ensuring peace, care for the environment, basic human rights and efforts to eradicate poverty. He said one of advantages of the European civilisation was willingness listen to the independent voice of science.